The long-running Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu came to the fore at a meeting of southern chief ministers with Union home minister Amit Shah in Mahabalipuram on Thursday. Now, Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay is facing heat from the Opposition in Tamil Nadu over his response to the contentious Mekedatu dam project .
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ( DMK ), Tamil Nadu’s main opposition party, alleged that Shivakumar openly argued in favour of the Mekedatu project while Vijay did not directly oppose it during the meeting. Earlier reporting noted: The high-level meeting brought several key issues to the table, including the proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026, inter-state water disputes involving the Mekedatu and Mullaperiyar dams, and the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran said Vijay’s silence was particularly significant given Tamil Nadu’s long-standing opposition to the proposed dam. Vijay said the Tamil Nadu Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution in June and sent it directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said the state government subsequently wrote to the Prime Minister after learning that the Union minister of state for Jal Shakti had not provided complete details on the proposed dam. Vijay also said his government would not compromise on Tamil Nadu’s rights, either on Cauvery water sharing or on opposing construction of the Mekedatu dam. Earlier reporting noted: “These three pillars have made South India the biggest contributor to the country’s development,” Shah said.
Earlier reporting noted: The issue was raised at the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and hosted by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay at the Taj Fisherman’s Cove hotel in Kovalam, Chengalpattu district.
“At the meeting of southern chief ministers held in Tamil Nadu, DK Shivakumar openly spoke in favour of constructing the Mekedatu dam. However, CM Vijay, who was present there, remained silent without uttering a single word in opposition.
“Water is fundamental to the lives, agriculture, and livelihoods of millions, and the management of interstate rivers demands both cooperation and unwavering respect for the rule of law,” the Tamil Nadu CM said. He said the rights of lower riparian states and the livelihoods dependent on assured river flows must be protected.
